MacBook is exactly one year old, small screen, not retina display.
I have an adapter to go into the video port [on Mac that is an Apple product named: Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter. This connects to another adapter [not Apple] that is a DVI-A to VGA Adapter.
The Mac does not see the monitor, at least it does not show it if I look at the display screen under the System Preverences, but the actual Mac display seems to react [blink?] when the monitor is connected or disconnected, but nothing on the monitor at any time.
Appreciate the help!